We continue our summer road trip through Western Canadian agriculture. We stop at Lakeland College to talk applied research and the growing Crop Diagnostic Days with Lakeland's Dean of Applied Research Dr. Francois Paradis, celebrate 30 years of InVigor canola at Ag in Motion and look ahead to new hybrids for 2027 with BASF's Blaine Woycheshin (4:30), before heading to the Calgary Stampede for a conversation with Alltech’s Dr. Vaughn Holder about food security, sustainability, traceability and the future of beef production. (14:00)

RRC Meteorologist David Spence breaks down the latest drought monitor report from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

This feature brought to you by BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada, helping farmers do the biggest job on Earth, no matter what the weather

The best agricultural research doesn't stay in the lab; it makes its way to the field.

That's the idea behind Alberta Crop Diagnostic Day, where producers connect directly with researchers to learn practical solutions to the challenges they're facing, from weed control and insect pests to crop nutrition and agronomy.

Hosted by Lakeland College, in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic and Western Crop Innovations, along with Alberta Grains, Alberta Pulse Growers, and Alberta Canola, the event focuses on applied research that farmers can put to work right away.

Alberta Crop Diagnostic Days brought producers and industry experts together near Lacombe last month. The event featured hands-on sessions focused on crop research, variety development, and practical diagnostic skills. Trevor Sears, Executive Director of Western Crop Innovations, says attendance was about 50 per cent higher than last year.

Sears says Western Crop Innovations is also implementing a new strategic blueprint. It includes using genomics and other breeding tools to develop higher-yielding, disease-resistant varieties faster. The organization breeds barley and triticale varieties for the western prairies and evaluates about 40,000 plots each year.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides the Olds area weather update for the week of August 17.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides the Lethbridge area weather update for the week of August 17.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides the Grande Prairie area weather update for August 17.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides the BC Peace area weather update for the week of August 17.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides the Lloydminster weather area update for August 17.

RRC Meteorologist David Spence provides the Vegreville - Bonnyville area weather update for the week of August 17.